Our Approach

We like to hear from our students about their goals and what they want to learn. Everyone has a unique learning style and we do our best to work with people the way they learn best. We also want it to be fun! So whenever possible, choosing the right songs or repertoire that students are excited about is important. Every song or tune inherently has techniques and skills. We like to see what our students want to play and work accordingly to help them achieve their goals.

About Us

Matt Shipman

Calling Portland, Maine his home, Matt has been performing for many years throughout the United States and Canada. Matt is not only an interpreter of traditional music of which he has studied and played for many years, but also weaves that love of tradition into his songwriting. He plays and teaches guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and clawhammer banjo. Matt is a seasoned music instructor, and enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities in his home studio. He enjoys sharing his love of music with people, helping them have fun with music and reach their personal goals. Some career highlights include playing with John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Tony Furtado, and a 5 year weekly residency with The Stowaways, featuring Joe Walsh, Erica Brown, Ron Cody and Steve Roy, and guests like Darol Anger. Matt currently performs with his wife Erica Brown in a duo called Darlin’ Corey, Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection, Josephine County and Side By Each. Matt has put out 2 solo recordings as well as recordings with High Range, Darlin’ Corey, Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection and most recently East to the West with Josephine County.

Erica Brown

Erica Brown has been teaching fiddle to young and old alike for more than 12 years. She has helped bring music into several elementary schools by holding workshops and personally performing. She has a strong desire to share her knowledge with anyone who has an interest in music and the fiddle.Erica is currently on staff at Bates College teaching private lessons.Erica developed an interest in music at an early age. At the age of seven, she was competing in fiddle contests with kids twice her age. At age nine, she was traveling throughout New England, Canada, and even Louisiana with the Maine French Fiddlers. Currently, she has her own bluegrass band, Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection, which performs all over New England and Canada. Erica is also a member of Darlin’ Corey, Josephine County and Side By Each. She has competed in and won numerous fiddle contests throughout New England and Canada. In 2003 she was awarded Junior Female Entertainer Of The Year by the Maine Country Music Association and in 2006 she received the Harold Carter Memorial Award from the Down East Country Music Association and was a recipient of a 2006 Maine Arts Commission Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Award and was recognized as a Master Artist by the Maine Arts Commission that same year. Performance highlights include opening for Grammy award winning country music superstar Dwight Yoakam, as well as Grammy award winning bluegrass performer Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Erica has produced and released 6 solo CD's.www.ericabrownonline.com